Plugged tub

[FurnaceFace]

Anyone have a recommended "pro" for a plugged tub? Mrs Furnace cleaned the electronic air filter in the tub and ever since the tub won't drain. We've dumped a heap of Drano/Liquid Plumber down it over the past week and it's still a no go so we're pretty sure we need it snaked.

We're thinking of calling roto rooter (et al) but don't know if CP has a recommended company/person to use?

[worth]

Can you unscrew the plug part? Some drain plugs are just screwed in, and you can get the debris out if you unscrew it. The debris gets caught up there because there is a grate to prevent large objects from going down. I would try to get the drain plug out first before you call a plumber. Might save you some money.

[flip]

Coincidence? I think not.

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...&CJPID=3160895

[FurnaceFace]

It's an old tub so it just has a stopped drain. The silver drain won't unscrew. I've tried liquid wrench and it won't unscrew. I've reefed on it pretty hard to the point where I ended up bending the pliers so I'm not sure it's going to unscrew and I'm scared of wrecking the drain. I really dislike plumbing.

And funny, I just read the bodybuilding thread after posting this. COMPLETELY unrelated.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Try this stuff. You can get it at Canadian Tire. Better than Drano and easier on your pipes. And Eco-friendly!

[ricosuave]

Or this:
http://www.onesecondplumber.com/product.html

[FurnaceFace]

One second plumber will only work well if you can plug up all the other water sources like the overflow. I should also add I believe the plug is a bit further down the line as when you run water in the sink, it comes up the tub drain. The blockage seems to be at the connection point between the three "appliances".

[Lego Man]

Hey guys, i work with this kinda stuff on a daily basis and those draino cleaners are laughed at within the plumbing/drain industry. You are literally just pouring your hard earned money down the drain. Dont go with roto-router unless you want to fork over hundreds of dollars for nothing. Go to home depot and rent a snake (at least 25ft long) with the largest cutter/auger that will fit into the hole in the bathtub and do it yourself. Should only cost 50-70 bucks to rent it. Plumbers start at 400ish and hardly ever do it right. While you have the rented auger, go down any acsessable cleanouts just so you get your money's worth, who knows you may fix a problem that will occur in the future.

[Ironhorse]

nm

[CubicleGeek]

First, fill your tub with water. Release the drain and use a plunger to try to force whatever is stuck in the trap down.

If that doesn't work, try a small snake.

If it still doesn't work, call a plumber.

I was told by a good friend of mine, who is a journeyman plumber to stay away from things like Draino. It actually eats away at the piping, causing it to be rougher and increases the chances of plugging in the future.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by flip

Coincidence? I think not.

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...&CJPID=3160895

Dude, that is most hilarious thing l have ever seen, pictures and all. Everyone here needs to read this

[Rathji]

Try a coat hanger.

[REDVAN]

Pete the Plumber... aka I'm convinced by the advertising on XL103.

[Jayems]

Originally Posted by mpaca

Go to home depot and rent a snake (at least 25ft long) with the largest cutter/auger that will fit into the hole in the bathtub and do it yourself. Should only cost 50-70 bucks to rent it. Plumbers start at 400ish and hardly ever do it right. While you have the rented auger, go down any acsessable cleanouts just so you get your money's worth, who knows you may fix a problem that will occur in the future.

So a professional plumber, who charges $400ish hardly ever gets it right, yet someone with no experience looking to save a few bucks will? Sure it's not that hard, but that struck me as odd, I guess.

[flip]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

Dude, that is most hilarious thing l have ever seen, pictures and all. Everyone here needs to read this

To be fair someone else posted it like 20 minutes before this thread was started in the Funny Picture/Video thread.

[enthused]

https://www.getturbosnake.com/?mid=607356

I saw this on TV and have actually been debating ordering it... embarassing. I wonder if it works?

[bradster57]

I had this exact problem about a year ago. Terrible plug in the tub. I am by no means a plumber or even a handy guy but I thought I'd give it a shot myself before getting a plumber. I stopped by home depot and bought a snake for about $30. Took about 15 minutes to get all the way to the clog but I managed to get it out. Worked like a charm!

[GreenLantern]

Originally Posted by flip

Coincidence? I think not.

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...&CJPID=3160895

I was thinking more along the lines of...



*Stolen from HotHotHeat in the Funny Pictures thread.

[FurnaceFace]

As mentioned I run water in the sink, the water comes back up the tub drain leading me to believe the blockage is further down the line and not "in the tub" so the coat hanger trick won't really do anything.

I have an auger but cannot get it down the drain as the pipe seems to go 90 degrees from the drain/plug so the auger won't bend that way.

I've removed the overflow cover and attempted to get the auger down that way but I can't seem to get the auger around the corner to continue down the pipe.

I had read a tip from someone who said duct tape up the overflow, get some water in the tub and then plunger away. I tried this and was the proud recipient of what I will describe as "effluent" coming back up the tub. Not one to give up, I continued to try a few more times thinking I might unblock it eventually but no dice. I just ended up with half a bucket of gross "water".

Brad, if you could PM your "technique" for better the auger through the pipe I'd like to know otherwise I think I'm calling in a pro.

[yads]

A plumber is not going to start at $400. I had a guy come in and fix a drain in our house for under $200. Just take a look at the yellow pages.